| Since the upper classes developed a passion for sea bathing in the 18th century, the British have loved to head to the coast - whatever the weather. This section will introduce you to the diverse coastal localities, that range from ancient, unspoilt fishing villages to bright and brash seaside resorts. |
Visit Charles Dickens’ former home in Broadstairs & dine on Whitstable oystersWhitstable Margate Attractions Photos
Check-out the Gothic atmosphere of Whitby that features in the novel DraculaWhitby Attractions Photos
Salcombe, Dartmouth, Brixham, Totnes, Paignton, Torquay & TeignmouthTorquay Attractions Photos
Royal Forest of Exmoor, home to rare species of wildlife and the seaside resort of MineheadExmoor Attractions Photos
Check-out Leigh-on-Sea and Burnham-on-Crouch, as well as the seaside attractions at SouthendSouthend Attractions Photos
Discover Mullion Cove and Kynance Cove in a place that has been inspiration to writers for centuriesFalmouth Attractions Photos
Piers, promenades, amusement arcades & a pleasure beach plus a five mile beachGreat Yarmouth Attractions Photos
| Britain’s south coast is littered with seaside towns and resorts from regency Brighton and Hove with its nudist beach to Eastbourne, Hastings, Rye and St Leonard’s. Bognor Regis and Hayling Island are close to the ports of Portsmouth and Southampton making them easily accessible. Ferries depart regularly for the Isle of Wight with its many beaches and excellent sailing. Kent’s resorts include Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Whitstable and Herne Bay. Just north, East Anglia has some wonderful coastline - Hunstanton and Great Yarmouth are popular resorts while Aldeburgh and Southwold cater for more upmaket tastes. In Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Clacton-on-Sea are also popular. The West country probably has Britain's most popular beaches. Cornwall is famous for its seaside towns and beaches. Newquay on the north coast is the surf capital of the UK, while the pretty fishing villages of Looe, Polperro, Megavissey and St Mawes are near the popular town of St Austell on the south coast, as is the Lizard Peninsula. Land’s End marks the tip of Britain with nearby Penzance and St. Ives are popular resorts. Dorset’s most famous resort is Bournemouth with exclusive Sandbanks; nearby Weymouth and Lyme Regis are also popular resorts. In Devon, brash Torquay and Torbay on the south coast are in contrast to the pretty harbours of Lynton, Porlock, Ilfracombe, Bideford and Clovelly on the north coast. The North of England may not be an obvious choice for a beach holiday, but in summer people flock to the sea - Blackpool with its pleasure beach and Morecambe on the west coast and Scarborough, Skegness, Tenby, Bridlington and Whitby on the east. Wales has come of the best beaches in England. For wildlife head to Pembrokeshire, St Bride’s Bay and vast Cardigan Bay where there is abundant birdlife and dolphins; for surfing the Gower peninsula near Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Aberystwyth and Hell’s Mouth near Snowdonia are popular. There are also good beaches on the Llyn Peninsula including Black Rock Sands. The eccentric resort of Portmeirion has to be seen to be believed. Scotland has some unbelievable beaches and tiny coastal towns if you make the effort including some of the UK's best surf. You can have them all to yourself even in summer. The water may be icy, but it can still be deepest turqoise and the sand white. |
Australia wide
Coastal Resorts
